State of Washington

Ethics Advisory Committee

Question

May a judicial officer serve as a board member of a local Rotary club?

Answer

CJC Canon 5(B) allows a judicial officer to serve as a board member of a local Rotary club. However, CJC Canon 5(B)(2) prohibits solicitation of funds for any civic or charitable organization by a judicial officer and a judicial officer may not use or permit the use of the prestige of the office for solicitation of funds. Therefore, even though a judicial officer may serve on a Rotary board, a judicial officer may not participate in the solicitation of funds but may attend fundraising events.

NOTE: Effective June 23, 1995, the Supreme Court amended the Code of Judicial Conduct. In addition to reviewing the ethics advisory opinions, the following should be noted: Opinion 90-10—The language in CJC Canon 5(B) has been modified. The Supreme Court adopted a new Code of Judicial Conduct effective January 1, 2011. In addition to reviewing the ethics advisory opinions, the following should be noted: CJC 3.1 CJC 3.7

Opinion 90-10

8/3/1990